Bishop Finn Expands Diocesan Administration, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, June 22, 2011

Bishop Finn Expands Diocesan Administration

Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
June 22, 2011

http://www.diocese-kcsj.org/news/viewNews.php?nid=156

Bishop Robert Finn, leader of the more than 133,000 Catholics of the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph, has appointed Father Joseph Powers, pastor of Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, in St. Joseph, Missouri, as Vicar for Clergy.

As Vicar for Clergy, Father Powers will serve as a liaison for diocesan priests and oversee assignments as well as pastoral effectiveness. Father Powers also will assist the bishop with any allegations of clerical misconduct and will serve as an ex officio member of the Diocesan Independent Review Board. He will continue as pastor of Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.

“Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. Robert Murphy will continue to have responsibility for general diocesan administration, directly supervising Chancery employees and serving on a number of diocesan boards and committees,” Bishop Finn said.

Msgr. Murphy also will continue to serve as pastor of St. Bridget Parish, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri

“With Father Powers assuming the duties of Vicar for Clergy, we strengthen our administrative oversight of the diocese and draw upon Father Powers’ pastoral experience in urban, rural and suburban parishes throughout the diocese,” said Bishop Finn.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Father Powers grew up in Raytown, Missouri. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Church and graduated from the parish elementary school. He studied for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary, Conception Seminary College and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Ordained in 1979, Father Powers also serves as chaplain for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and also Region IX National Catholic Committee on Scouting.